Boat bumper/fender holder

ABSTRACT

A boat bumper holder for retaining and/or storing one or more boat bumpers onboard of a watercraft so that the boat bumpers may be easily and/or readily stored, identified, and deployed. The holder includes parallel columns that support upper and lower plates which each define cut-outs allowing for the insertion of boat bumpers. The upper and lower plates may also have additional fender cut- outs attached to them and which align with each other to permit easy and ready storage of additional boat bumpers. The cut-outs of the upper and lower plates and of the fender cut-outs may vary in geometry (e.g., to allow the insertion of boat bumpers of various shapes and geometries).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/177,410 filed Apr. 21, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to boat bumpers. More specifically, this disclosure relates to holders for boat bumpers.

BACKGROUND

Boat bumpers have been used to protect the external surfaces of watercraft for years. These bumpers provide a physical barrier between a watercraft and another watercraft (e.g., when tied together), and exterior physical surfaces such as wood or concrete docks and pylons that may cause structural or aesthetic damage (e.g., to the watercraft) upon docking. The bumpers are typically made of a synthetic rubber material and are inflated with air to provide some degree of elasticity for when the docked watercraft is moved by wind, waves, or water currents. These boat bumpers come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fulfill the unique needs specific to each type of watercraft. Some watercraft owners may even need multiple boat bumpers of varying dimensions to adequately protect their vessel.

Since protecting the structural and aesthetic integrity of a watercraft is a point of great concern for most watercraft owners, boat bumpers of all shapes and sizes are commonplace amongst maritime and lake communities. Given the important function of boat bumpers and their relative ubiquity, boat bumper storage is a vital element of watercraft design. Options for storage traditionally include below-deck storage, storage in general-purpose stowage areas, or loose placement above-deck. These options all pose certain challenges, however.

Below-deck storage entails additional labor and navigation into cramped quarters each time a watercraft owner docks or embarks. Further, below-deck storage may hinder facile inventory management and identification of all available boat bumpers. Storage in general-purpose stowage areas may cause entanglements between the boat bumpers and other boating equipment, and may further hinder streamlined deployment, organization, and identification. Aside from the aforementioned concerns, loose above-deck storage poses additional safety risks to watercraft passengers who may trip upon or otherwise be buffeted by the free-moving boat bumpers during normal activity and periods of high water turbulence. Therefore, a need exists for a means of storing boat bumpers of varied shapes and sizes that provides for easy deployment, storage, identification, and inventory management.

SUMMARY

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a boat bumper holder that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

Another object is to provide a boat bumper holder that permits the facile storage, identification, and deployment of boat bumpers.

An additional object is to provide a boat bumper holder that permits the facile storage of various boat bumpers of various sizes and geometries at the same time.

A further object is to provide a boat bumper holder that prevents injuries stemming from passenger interactions with loose boat bumpers onboard a watercraft.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a boat bumper holder that facilitates inventory management of boat bumpers because all boat bumpers are located in a centralized location.

Accordingly, a boat bumper holder is provided, the boat bumper holder comprising: a first support member spaced apart by a spacer from a second support member; wherein the first support member is supported by a vertically extending column extending from a base; wherein the first member defines a cut-out; wherein the second support member defines a cutout; and wherein the cutouts are aligned and configured to retain a boat bumper therein.

These and other features and advantages of devices, systems, and methods according to this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed descriptions of various examples of embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various examples of embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods according to this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat bumper holder, according to various examples of embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the boat bumper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the boat bumper holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sideview of the boat bumper holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the boat bumper holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the boat bumper holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a boat bumper holder with multiple support sets, according to various examples of embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the boat bumper holder of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the boat bumper holder of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the boat bumper holder of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a first side view of a boat bumper holder with multiple support sets, according to various examples of embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a second side view of a boat bumper holder with multiple support sets, according to various examples of embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a boat bumper holder with multiple support sets retaining three boat bumpers, according to various examples of embodiments; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the boat bumper holder from FIG. 13 with the three boat bumpers removed, according to various examples of embodiments.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding of the invention or render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an example embodiment of a boat bumper holder 100 is shown. In various examples of embodiments, boat bumper holder 100 includes a first support member 120. In various examples of embodiments, first support member 120 defines a first aperture or cut-out 130 a. In various embodiments, first support member 120 also defines a second aperture or cut-out 130 b.

In various embodiments, boat bumper holder 100 includes a first column 140 a that is coupled to first support member 120. In various embodiments, boat bumper holder 100 includes a base 155. In various embodiments, first column 140 a is coupled at one end to first support member 120 and at an opposing end to base 155. In various examples of embodiments, first column 140 a at least partially supports first support member 120 in a spaced relation relative to base 155.

In various embodiments, boat bumper holder 100 includes a second column 140 b that is coupled to first support member 120. In various embodiments, second column 140 b is coupled at one end to first support member 120 and at an opposing end to base 155. In various examples of embodiments, second column 140 b at least partially supports first support member 120 in a spaced relation relative to base 155.

In various embodiments, boat bumper holder 100 includes a second support member 115. In various examples of embodiments, second support member 115 defines a first aperture or cut-out 125 a. In various embodiments, second support member 115 also defines a second aperture or cut-out 125 b.

In various embodiments, boat bumper holder 100 includes a first spacer 135 a that is coupled at one end to first support member 120 and at an opposing end to second support member 115. In various examples of embodiments, first spacer 135 a at least partially supports second support member 115 in a spaced relation relative to first support member 120.

In various embodiments, boat bumper holder 100 includes a second spacer 135 b that is coupled at one end to first support member 120 and at an opposing end to second support member 115. In various examples of embodiments, second spacer 135 b at least partially supports second support member 115 in a spaced relation relative to first support member 120.

First and second columns 140 a, 140 b and first and second spacers 135 a, 135 b may vary in height depending on specific needs and/or as desired. In various embodiments, first and second spacers 135 a,b and first and second columns 140 a,b are coupled to the first support member 120 by studs 145 (two studs 145 are shown). In various embodiments, second support member 115 is coupled to an upper portion of first spacer 135 a and/or second spacer 135 b by screws 150. In various embodiments, first and/or second columns 140 a,b are attached to base 155 via screws 150. Base 155 may be and/or is configured to be attached to a deck of a watercraft (not shown) by one or more mounting screws 160. While the described embodiment utilizes screws 150, studs 145, and mounting screws 160 to fasten component parts together, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of means and fasteners, and combinations thereof, may be utilized, including, but not limited to, fastening by a friction fit, nails, welding, and/or adhesives. In addition, it should be appreciated that one or more component parts may be integral.

In various embodiments, first support member 120 and second support member 115 are provided substantially parallel to each other, extend outwards substantially horizontally. In various embodiments, first member 120 and second member 115 are provided so that one first cut-outs 125 a, 130 a and/or second cut-outs 125 b, 130 b of support members 105, 110 are spaced apart and substantially overlap and/or are substantially aligned (e.g., with one another) to allow insertion of boat bumpers(not shown) through or into first cut-outs 125 a and 130 a and/or through or into second cut-outs 125 b, 130 b. While first cut-outs 125 a, 130 a and second cut-outs 125 b, 130 b are illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 as being circular in form or shape, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the first cut-outs and the second cut-outs may take the form of any number of shapes, including, but not limited to, circles of varied diameters, rectangles, squares, ovals, triangles, etc. The first and/or second cut-outs may also be unenclosed, or open on one side (e.g., in a U-shape, a J-shape, C-shape, etc.). It should also be appreciated that corresponding first and second cut-outs need not be the same form, shape or size.

Referring to FIGS. 7-14, one or more first fender support members 175 a, 175 b, 175 c, and/or 175 d, defining first fender cut-outs 180 a, 180 b, 180 c and/or 180 d, respectively, are included as and/or coupled to boat bumper holder 100. In various embodiments, one or more first fender support members 175 a, 175 b, 175 c, and/or 175 d extend outwardly substantially horizontally (e.g., from a periphery of first support member 120 of boat bumper holder 100).

In various embodiments, one or more second fender support members 165 a, 165 b, 165 c, and/or 165 d defining second fender cut-outs 170 a, 170 b, 170 c, and/or 170 d, respectively, are included as and/or coupled to boat bumper 100. In various embodiments, one or more second fender support members 165 a, 165 b, 165 c, and/or 165 d extend outwardly substantially horizontally (e.g., from a periphery of second support member 115 of boat bumper holder 100).

In various embodiments, one or more first and second fender support members 165 a, 165 b, 165 c, and/or 165 d and one or more second fender support members 175 a, 175 b, 175 c, and/or 175 d are provided substantially parallel to each other.

In various embodiments, one or more first and second fender support members 165 a, 165 b, 165 c, and/or 165 d and one or more second fender support members 175 a, 175 b, 175 c, and/or 175 d are provided so that first fender fender cut-outs 180 a, 180 b, 180 c and/or 180 d are spaced apart and substantially overlap and/or are substantially aligned with corresponding second fender cut-outs 170 a, 170 b, 170 c and/or 170 d, respectively, to allow insertion of a boat bumpers(not shown) through or into a first fender cut-out 180 a, 180 b, 180 c or 180 d and through or into corresponding second fender cut-out 170 a, 170 b, 170 c and/or 170 d.

While first cut-outs 170 a, 170 b, 170 c and/or 170 d and second cut-outs 180 a, 180 b, 180 c and/or 180 d are illustrated as being circular in form or shape, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the first cut-outs and the second cut-outs may take the form of any number of shapes, including, but not limited to, circles of varied diameters, rectangles, squares, ovals, triangles, etc. The first and/or second cut-outs may also be unenclosed, or open on one side (e.g., in a U-shape, a J-shape, C-shape, etc.). It should also be appreciated that corresponding first and second cut-outs need not be the same form, shape or size.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 10 and 14, any of first fender support members 175 a-d and second fender support members 165 a-d may be coupled to first support member 120 and second support member 115 by screws 150. While the described embodiment utilizes screws 150 to fasten component parts together, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of means and fasteners, and combinations thereof, may be utilized to accomplish the same task, including, but not limited to, fastening by a friction fit, nails, welding, adhesives, etc.

The construction material of any component part may be of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, or any other rigid material. Further, any such construction material may be coated by any suitable coating for aesthetic appeal and/or additional protection.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top” and “bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the

Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system, methods, and devices as shown in the various examples of embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various examples of embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventions.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the examples of embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.

The technical effects and technical problems in the specification are exemplary and are not limiting. It should be noted that the embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems. 

1. A boat bumper holder comprising: a first support member spaced apart by a spacer from a second support member, wherein the first support member is supported by a vertically extending column extending from a base; wherein the first member defines a cut-out; wherein the second support member defines a cutout; and wherein the cutouts are aligned and configured to retain a boat bumper therein.
 2. The boat bumper holder of claim 1, wherein one or more of the cut-outs are of a circular form.
 3. The boat bumper holder of claim 1, wherein one or more of the cut-outs are of a non-circular form.
 4. The boat bumper holder of claim 1, wherein the base defines a plurality of holes for attachment to a watercraft.
 5. The boat bumper holder of claim 5, wherein the base is coupled to the watercraft.
 6. The boat bumper holder of claim 1, wherein the first member defines a second cut-out and the second member defines a second cut-out and wherein the second cutouts are aligned and configured to retain a second boat bumper therein.
 7. The boat bumper holder of claim 7, wherein one or more of the second cut-outs are of a circular form.
 8. The boat bumper holder of claim 7, wherein one or more of the second cut-outs are of a non-circular form.
 9. The boat bumper holder of claim 7, wherein the base defines a plurality of holes for attachment to a watercraft.
 10. The boat bumper holder of claim 10, wherein the base is coupled to the watercraft.
 11. The boat bumper holder of claim 7, wherein at least one first fender support defining a first fender cut-out is coupled to a periphery of the first support member.
 12. The boat bumper holder of claim 11, wherein at least one second fender support defining a second fender cut-out is coupled to a periphery of the second support member and wherein the first fender support cut-out and second fender support cut-out are aligned and configured to retain a boat bumper therein.
 13. The boat bumper holder of claim 12, wherein one or more of the first and second fender cut-outs are of a circular form.
 14. The boat bumper holder of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second cut-outs are of a non-circular form. 